Missouri Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Kansas City Representation Backed by Insurance-Side Experience

For most injured Missouri workers, workers’ compensation is the primary path to recovering medical expenses and lost wages after a workplace accident. Navigating that path alone means going up against insurance carriers and their adjusters without the same knowledge of how claims get evaluated and contested. That imbalance matters when benefits are on the line.

At Haight Stang, LLC, our founding attorneys, Mike Stang and Michael Haight, spent the early part of their careers working on behalf of employers and insurance carriers. That experience gives us a direct view into how Missouri workers’ comp claims are assessed, where insurers apply pressure, and how to build a claim that holds up. Combined with nearly 50 years of collective experience, an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and a Best of the Bar recognition from the Kansas City Business Journal in 2015, our firm brings a level of preparation to Missouri workers’ compensation cases that a general injury practice can’t replicate.

How Missouri Workers’ Compensation Works

Missouri operates a no-fault workers’ compensation system, meaning an injured worker can receive benefits regardless of who caused the accident. Limited exceptions apply for situations such as intoxication or willful safety violations. Cases are handled through the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation and decided by administrative law judges.

Benefits available under Missouri law cover a range of situations:

• Medical treatment: Full coverage for authorized medical care, though Missouri employers have the right to direct injured workers to a specific provider
• Temporary total disability (TTD): Wage replacement of approximately two-thirds of average weekly wages while you’re unable to work, subject to statutory maximums
• Temporary partial disability (TPD): Compensation for workers on modified duty, earning less than their pre-injury wage
• Permanent partial disability (PPD): Benefits for workers who sustain a lasting impairment but can still work
• Permanent total disability (PTD): Benefits for workers who can no longer work in any capacity
• Death benefits: Compensation for surviving dependents, including funeral expenses

Missouri workers are generally required to report a work-related injury or occupational disease diagnosis to their employer within 30 days. Missing that window can affect your ability to receive benefits, though a late report isn’t an automatic bar to your claim if the employer already had knowledge of the injury or wasn’t prejudiced by the delay. If you’re unsure whether your claim is still viable, speak with a Missouri workers’ compensation attorney in Kansas City before assuming it isn’t.

Protecting Your Claim from Start to Finish

Insurance carriers have attorneys and adjusters whose job is to evaluate claims in the insurer’s interest. Because our founding attorneys worked on that side of the table, we know what they look for and how to prepare documentation that can withstand scrutiny. Medical evidence is particularly important: insufficient documentation of injury severity can directly affect the benefits awarded, and we work to ensure the record accurately reflects the full extent of your injuries.

Workers who handle claims without legal representation often make avoidable mistakes, including:

• Using sick leave to recover from a workplace injury instead of pursuing loss-of-wages benefits they’re entitled to
• Relying on their employer to file required forms with the state
• Missing deadlines for responding to information requests from the insurer or the Division

We manage every aspect of your claim through its conclusion so you can stay focused on recovery. Our office keeps you informed of where your claim stands, gives you complete access to case-related documentation, and returns your calls promptly. You won’t be left guessing about what’s happening with your case.

Contact a Missouri workers’ compensation attorney for dedicated legal representation if you are seeking workers’ compensation.

When a Missouri Workers’ Comp Claim Is Denied or Disputed

A denial isn’t the end of your claim. When a Missouri workers’ compensation claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing before a Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation administrative law judge. We’ve represented clients through that process and helped them pursue benefits after an initial denial, including cases where a denied claim was overturned and benefits were awarded for injuries sustained on the job.

Denial isn’t the only complication that can arise. If your employer doesn’t carry workers’ compensation insurance as required by Missouri law, we can help you understand your options and pursue available remedies. In some situations, a third party such as a negligent contractor or equipment manufacturer may share liability for your injury. A third-party liability claim can run alongside your workers’ comp claim and may allow recovery for damages workers’ compensation doesn’t cover, including pain and suffering.

Missouri’s Second Injury Fund is another avenue worth evaluating. When a current work injury combines with a pre-existing disability to result in permanent total disability, the Second Injury Fund may provide additional compensation beyond what the employer’s insurer covers. Eligibility depends on the specifics of your situation, and we can assess whether it applies to your case.

Get a Free Case Evaluation from Our Kansas City Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

If you were injured at work in Missouri, the decisions you make early in the claims process can affect the outcome. Our goal at Haight Stang, LLC is to pursue maximum compensation for workplace accidents, and we start by making sure you understand your rights and options at no upfront cost. We can be reached by phone at (913) 815-1347 or through our online contact form.

Don’t let the insurance carrier set the terms of your recovery. Call (913) 815-1347 or contact us online to speak with a Missouri workers’ compensation attorney in Kansas City.